21.   Thoughtful readers like these know enough to roll their eyes whenever anyone tries to claim sole custody of our flag and wield it as a blunt instrument.

22.   While judges will still have the power to award sole custody to one parent, advocates for mothers and children fear the new law will be abused.

23.   Both parents had asked for sole custody.

24.   But some opposition members voiced concern about denying mothers sole custody of their children after a divorce.

25.   Handsel, of Fort Collins, Colorado, had a U.S. order granting him sole custody of the child.

26.   Her mother, Toni Dykstra, had sole custody.

27.   In February, a district court granted sole custody to maternal grandparents Robert and Kathleen Willard of Nashua, N.H.

28.   Ms. Dykstra won sole custody of Santina in both countries.

29.   The dispute led to their successful motion for sole custody.

30.   Pietra Thornton is seeking sole custody of the children.